Toilet construction



Dec. 29, 1970 H. w. JONG 3,550,163

TOILET CONSTRUCTION Filed March 5, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I/l/III/I I l iI I I N VENTOR.

WZ/w; I I

Dec. 29, 1970 H. w. JONG 3,550,163

TOILET CONSTRUCTION Filed March 5, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR6M420 M/Ja/w -A oe/va/ United States Paten 3,550,163 TOILET CONSTRUCTIONHoward W. Jong, Monterey Park, Califi, assignor to Mc- Donnell DouglasCorporation, a corporation of Maryland Filed Mar. 5, 1969, Ser. No.804,433 Int. Cl. E03d 1/00, 3/00, 5/00 U.S. Cl. 4-10 8 Claims ABSTRACTOF THE DISCLOSURE A recirculating, flush-type toilet including apump-filter assembly and a drain valve secured in a storage containeradapted to be drained periodically. The pump-filter assembly and thedrain valve are incorporated into a single vertical lift arrangementwhich provides unrestricted egress of the contents in the storagecontainer when the drain valve is actuated during servicing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to toiletconstructions which are particularly useful for installation inaircraft, house trailers, boats, buses, and other mobile, semimobile, orstationary installations.

The sewage systems used in various commercial and businesstransportation vehicles such as planes and buses are generallyself-contained and include a flush bowl mounted on a container havingcommercial water solution therein for flushing and deordorization. Toflush the contents of the bowl into the container, a power-operated pumpis energized to force the solution from the container through a manifoldsurrounding the upper portion of the flush bowl, and allowing the sidewalls of the flush bowl to wash the contents thereof into the container.The flushing solution is filtered during such flushing cycle by suitablefilter means to remove the solid particles therefrom so that the pumpand manifold will not be clogged.

Since in aircraft and other mobile vehicle applications, all wasteelements are initially stored in the container and subsequently cleanedout at appropriate service stations, the self-contained toilet systemsgenerally include a drain port located at the lowest portion of thecontainer, and a drain valve for controlling the opening and closing ofthe drain port. During servicing the drain valve is lifted to empty thecontents overboard into a service tank. However, a serious problemencountered in using conventional self-contained recirculating,flush-type toilets is that towels and other debris do not drain due toobstruction of the a motor pump and filter assembly which protrudes intothe container in a fixed position constituting a flow obstruction. Suchflow obstructions cause extension of service time resulting in flightdelay. Thus, it is a direct improvement on the state-of-the-art toprovide a toilet construction of the recirculating, flush-type whichwould eliminate all obstructions and produce unrestricted drainageduring servicing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In carrying out the principles of thisinvention according to one embodiment thereof, there is provided arecirculating, flush-type toilet comprising a storage container with adrainage opening formed at its bottom, and a drain valve which isnormally biased to position over the drainage opening for retainingliquid in the container. A pump is positioned adjacent to the bottom ofthe container for circulating liquid from the container to a bowl forflushing contents therein into the container. A lifting means connectedto the pump and the drain valve is provided for lifting the valve andthe pump vertically from a close position to an open position, wherebyan exit path flee is formed by the liquid passing through the drainageopening, with the pump being outside the exit path thereby allowingunrestricted drainage during servicing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional viewthrough a conventional self-contained sewage system;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through a sewage system involvingthe invention; and

FIG. 3 is a top view of the system shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOWN EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates aconventional self-contained sewage system having a container 10 whichincludes a drainage opening 12 formed in its bottom portion. Thecontainer 10 has secured therein a partition 14 which is designed tosupport substantially all of the operating components of the sewagesystem. A flush bowl 16, a pump-filter assembly 18, and a drainage valve20 are secured in one manner or another to the partition 14.

In the operation of the system, the filter pump assembly 18 draws fluidfrom the container 10 and pumps it into a manifold around the upperperiphery of the bowl 16 from which it flows through a plurality ofopenings in the manifold along the inside of the bowl 16 in a swirlingmanner to wash the contents of the bowl 16 through a spout 22 and intothe container 10.

After a number of uses the contents in the container 10 will beincreased and drainage becomes necessary. Drainage from the contanier 10is provided by the drainage opening 12 which is controlled by thedrainage valve 20. In the conventional system as shown in FIG. 1 thedrainage valve 20 and the filter-pump assembly 18 are two separateassemblies with the latter being placed in a fixed position. When thedrainage valve 20 is placed in an open position for drainage, thefilter-pump assembly 18 remains stationary and constitutes a flowobstruction for towels and other debris. Such flow obstruction causesextension of service time and results in flight delay.

Shown in FIG. 2 is a self-contained sewage system of the recirculatingtypes which eliminates all obstructions and produces unrestricteddrainage during servicing. It includes a container having commercialwater solution therein for flushing and deodorization and a flush bowl32 mocnted thereon. The container 30 has a cover 34 secure therein and adrainage opening 36 formed in its bottom portion 38. The cover 34 has anaperture 40 formed therein and is designed to support substantially allof the operating components of the system so that they may easily beremoved for maintenance purposes.

The flush bowl 32 has a main body portion 42 and a discharge outlet 44.An angular flange 46 is secured around the lower periphery of thedischarge outlet 44 and extends horizontally therefrom to engage thecover 34- around the periphery of aperature 40 to support the flush bowl32 on the cover 34. A manifold 48 which extends substantially around themain bowl body portion 42 adjacent to the top thereof is provided fordirecting flow of flushing liquid downwardly over the interior of themain bowl body portion 46 and thence into the container 30.

A spout 52 is pivotally connected to the flange 46 by a suitable hinge54 which is secured thereto to permit movement of the spout 52 to anormal position, as shown in FIG. 2, wherein waste material in the bowl32 is flushed through the spout 52 and into the container 30 at a pointspaced laterally from directly below the discharge outlet 44. In thisnormal position the contents of the container 30 are visible through theflush bowl 32 and the liquid in the container 30 will not be splashedinto the bowl 32. When necessary the spout 52 may be manually pivoted toan inactive position wherein waste material can drop directly from theflush bowl 32 into the container 30 without flushing it through thespout 52. To hold the spout 52 in its normal position, flexible pressureclamps are secured to the spout at spaced intervals around the upperperiphery thereof which release the spout when downward pressure isapplied thereto.

The sewage system as shown in FIG. 2, further includes a purnpfilterassembly 58 which is supported by the cover 34 of the container 30. Thepump-filter assembly 34 comprises a pump 60 and a filter 62. The pump 60includes an inlet connected to withdraw liquid from the container 30adjacent to the bottom thereof and an outlet 64 connected to themanifold 48 through a receiving member 66. The filter 62 is positionedto surround the inlet of the pump 60 for preventing large particles fromflowing therethrough. The pump-filter assembly 58 provides circulatingmeans for circulating liquid from the container 30 to the manifold 48and from which the liquid flows along inside of the bowl 32 to wash thecontents therein into the container 30' through the spout 52.

Positioned below the filter 62 is a drain valve or stopper means 68which is positioned over the drainage opening 36 for retaining liquid inthe container 30. The operation of the drain valve 68 is controlled bylifting means 70 which is provided for lifting the drain valve 68 from aclosed position to an open position for drainage during servicing. Thelifting means 70 comprises a housing 72 which is substantially acylindrical member adapted for vertical movement. The housing 72 hasfixedly secured thereto at its lower extremity the drain valve 68 and atits upper extremity a motor 74 for operation of the pump 60, the pump 60and the filter 62 being supported by and positioned within the housing72. In this configuration the motor driven pump 60, filter 62, and drainvalve 68 are incorporated into a single vertical lift arrangement whichoffers the advantage of unrestricted egress of the contained fluids andsolids in the container 30 when the drain valve 68 is placed in its openposition during servicing.

The lifting means 70 further comprises guide means 76 for guiding thevertical movement of the housing 72, bias spring means 78 for normallybiasing the drain valve 68 into the close position on the drainageopening 36, and actuating means 80 for causing vertical movement of thehousing 72 in opposition to force exerted by the bias spring 78.

The actuating means 80 comprises a pulley 82 which includes a smallwheel 84 used to transmit power by means of a control cable 86 passingover its grooved rim. The control cable 86 has one end fixedly secure tothe casing of the motor 74 and its other end connected to a handle 88through which a person may apply force to cause the housing and thecomponents secured thereto to lift vertically away from the drainageopening 36 thereby allowing unrestricted drainage of the contents in thecontainer 30. The pulley 82 is supported by three pulley supports 90,90A and 90B. Each pulley support is secured to the guide means 76. Theguide means 76 includes three guide rods 92 each being secured to thecover 34 and upstanding therefrom. The rods 92 are positioned apart fromeach other approximately 120. In operative association with each rod 92is a pair of rollers 94 which are fixedly secure to the housing 72through roller supports 96, the rollers being adapted for rollingcontact with rods 92 when the housing 72 is moving vertically.

The bias means 78 includes a spring which is positioned intermediate thehousing 72 and the pulley supports for normally biasing the housing 72and consequently the valve 68 into a close position on the drainageopening 40. The discharge outlet 64 of the pump 60 is a cylindricalmember having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of thereceiving member 66 within Which the outlet 64 is slidably mounted in atelescopic arrangement. The receiving member 66 is connected to themanifold 48 for delivering liquid thereto.

In operation of the system, the motor driven pump 60 draws liquid fromthe container 30 and delivers it to the manifold 48 through thedischarge outlet 64 and the receiving member 66. From the manifold 48,which is positioned around the upper periphery of the bowl 32, theliquid flows throuhg a plurality of openings in the manifold 48 alongthe inside of the bowl 32 in a swirling manner to wash the contents ofthe bowl through a spout 52 and into the container 30. After a number ofuses and when drainage is necessary, a force is applied to the handle 88to cause the housing 72 and all the components secured thereto includingthe pump filter and drainage valve to lift vertically from a closeposition to an open position away from the drainage opening 36. When thedrainage opening 36 is opened an exit path is formed by the liquidpassing therethrough, with the housing 72 and the pump-filter assembly58 being outside the exit path thereby allowing unrestricted drainage ofthe contents in the container 30 through a drainage tube 98. When theforce applied to the handle 88 is stopped, the spring 78 causes descentof the housing 72, pump 60, filter 62 and the valve 68 into position toclose the drainage opening 40. Vertical lift and descent movement of thehousing 60 is guided by the guide means 72 which includes rods 92 androllers 94.

Iclaim:

1. A self-contained sewage system comprising:

a container having a bottom portion and a drainage opening formed insaid bottom portion;

a bowl mounted on said container and having a discharge openingtherefrom projecting into said container;

stopper and circulating means positioned adjacent said bottom portionover said drainage opening for retaining liquid in said container andfor circulating liquid from said container to said bowl; and

lifting means for lifting said stopper and circulating means from aclosed position to an open position, whereby an exit path is formed bythe liquid passing through said drainage opening and whereby saidstopper and circulating means when lifted by said lifting means to theopen position are outside said exit path thereby allowing unrestricteddrainage.

2. The sewage system of claim 1 including bias means for normallybiasing said stopper and circulating means into said closed position onsaid drainage opening for retaining liquid in said container.

3. The sewage system of claim 2 wherein said lifting means comprise:

a housing having secured thereto said stopper and circulating means,said housing being adapted for vertical movement;

guide means for guiding the vertical movement of said housing; and

actuating means for actuating vertical movement of said housing inopposition to said bias means.

4. The sewage system of claim 3 wherein said guide means include:

at least one guide rod secured to said container and upstandingtherefrom; and

at least one roller secured to said housing, said roller being adaptedfor rolling contact with said guide rod when said housing is movingvertically.

5. The sewage system of claim 3 wherein said actuating means include:

a control cable having one end fixedly secured to said housing; and

pulley means secured to said guide means and in operative associationwith said control cable for actuating vertical movement of said housing.

6. A self-contained sewage system comprising:

a storage container having a bottom portion and a drainage openingformed in said bottom portion;

a bowl mounted on top of said container and having a discharge openingtherefrom projecting into said container;

a housing adapted for vertical movement and having fixedly securedthereto pump means and drain valve means, said pump means having aninlet connected to withdraw liquid from said container adjacent to thebottom thereof, said pump means being connected to discharge into saidbowl, said drain valve means controlling said drainage opening;

bias means for normally biasing said drain valve means into a closedposition on said drainage opening to retain liquid in said container;and

actuating means for actuating said housing and said drain valve meansinto an open position thereby allowing unrestricted drainage throughsaid drainage opening.

7. The sewage system of claim 6 including:

a manifold extending substantially around said bowl adjacent to the topthereof for receiving liquid from said pump means and for directing flowof flushing liquid downwardly over the interior of said bowl and thenceinto said container; and

filter means surrounding said inlet of said pump means for preventinglarge particles from flowing therethrough.

8. A self-contained sewage system comprising:

a storage container having a bottom portion and a drainage openingformed in said bottom portion;

a bowl mounted on top of said container and having a discharge openingtherefrom projecting into said container; and

a housing having fixedly secured thereto pump means and drain valvemeans, said pump means having an inlet connected to withdraw liquid fromsaid container adjacent to the bottom thereof and having an outletconnected to discharge into said bowl, said drain valve meanscontrolling said drainage opening, said housing being movable to movesaid drain valve means from a closed position to an open positionthereby allowing drainage from said storage container which isunrestricted by said pump means and said drain valve means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,566,047 8/1951 Weekes 41 153,067,433 12/1962 Dietz et al. 4115X 3,094,707 6/1963 Fleming 4--773,172,131 3/1965 Harkenhine et al. 4115 3,342,341 9/1967 Lee 210-3573,454,967 7/1969 Corliss 4---77 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner H.K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

